the fives?"
Dory produced his wallet, and handed the two bills to the officer.
Peppers passed them to Moody at once. The latter shook his head, and
handed them back to the detective, who returned them to the owner. The
skipper wondered what all this meant, and was very much surprised that
Peppers did not ask him where he had got the money he paid for the
Goldwing.
"That sets you all right, Dory Dornwood," said the landlord. "I am sorry
we made you come back to Plattsburgh, but Hawlinshed was sure you were
the one that stole the money from Moody's room. We are satisfied now
that another person committed the robbery."
"Then you don't want to send me to jail?" added Dory, with a sensation
of the most intense relief.
"Not at all. We didn't know so much about the case yesterday forenoon as
we do now. The next man we want to see is Hawlinshed. You say he is
aground somewhere in the steamer."
"On the Colchester Shoal: at least he was three hours ago," added Dory.
"That's in Vermont, but I will give you ten dollars to put Peppers in
the same boat with him."
Dory was glad enough to do it. The tables had turned.
CHAPTER XVIII.
DORY LOCKS HIS PASSENGERS INTO THE CABIN.
Ten dollars! And this sum was to be made with the Goldwing. It would pay
nearly one-fourth of what she cost, and add ten dollars to the sum he
was to have the happiness of giving to his mother.
"I don't understand yet why I am let off," said Dory, after he had
recovered from his amazement at the prospect of earning ten dollars.
"You are let off because you didn't do it," replied the landlord,
laughing. "I am sorry we accused you, but it looked bad for you at the
first of it. Peppers and Moody will tell you all about it after you get
into the boat. We have an early dinner ready, and you must dine before
you go."
In addition to all this, the landlord invited him to come to his house
whenever he was in Plattsburgh, and make himself at home there. The
hotel-keeper dined with them, and he asked Dory a great many questions
about the boat. Was she a dangerous boat?
"Any boat will tip over if you don't handle her right," replied Dory
sagely. "I sailed her across the lake yesterday when it blew a young
hurricane, and she is as safe as any boat I ever was in."
The young skipper proceeded to explain what had made the Goldwing so
unruly. He had overcome the difficulty, and he was sure that she was as
safe as any boat on the lake. He had
|